The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-08-18
ttNo. I replied.

sNo, Ireplied.
ssI'll make it a couple o. dollars extra.
We want to crossup here an get cross
the pint Of the reservation an over to
Red Bird On the Niobrara fore we STOP"
''Go ahead, IN stay with you"
A little later heard the sound OF hoofs
behind us. This gave me no uneasiness,
but the moment it struck the ears OF my
companions they took their Winchesters
from where they were fastened on the
saddle and began to look back intently.
Amoment later 8 dozen horsemen came
around the point Of bluff at full speed.
Several of the party fired at us. My COM
panions returned the shots and dashed
away, leaving the horses they were lead
ing. / had no doubt that the thieves
from whom they had recovered the horses
were in pursuit, so followed as fast as
could. We were in IN open place near
the river and headed for some cotton
woods about q quarter or mile distant.
Our horses were on the run, and though
when glanced back saw that our pur-
suers were gaining on us, still we could
easily have reached the timber ahead OF
them had not shot from the party be-
hind hit the deputy sheriff. He fell for
ward and struck the ground heavily,
while his horse dashed away. The sheriff
stopped and returned to him, while ball
whistled so uncomfortably close to MY
own ears that concluded to do the same.
Our pursuers came up and surrounded us.
It wassgrowing quites dark, by this time,
and TeodlI not well make out theft feat-
ures, though thdnght they. looked more
like farmers than horse thieves: In
moment Dy suspicious were confirmed.
ssI reckon we've got ye this time, said
one Of the party, stan' ye bet we'll show
ye what this 'ere vigilance committee con-
+ ssiders good for hoss thievesP' !
The wounded man was taken up and
placed on horseback, two men were de-
tailed to guard each one of us and we
started back. tried to explain my con-
-nection with the others, but was silenced
Z by the gruff voice of the leader, who as
sured meathat would have chance to
explain things at the trial. This relieved
me somewhat, as had no do1bt thht
copld easily prove my innocence. We
rode TIL about midnight, when we came
to small cluster of houses called Mineral
Springs. We drew up before q long log
house, which. proved to be saloon and
hotel combined. The bar room was Htup
and there were number Of men inside
and horses tied outside. They gave
: sloud cheer when they saw the prisoners,
and there was a great deal Of hurried con-
yersation. We were taken inside and
placed under guard. Twenty or thirty
men gathered in the room, when a man
said; Il tgY 3ll
SssWeu, boys, we've brought 'em in, an
we got tho hosses. I reckon we'd better
try the men an fix everything up to-
night. The cheerman viii please come
foriard." ,-4,..f.
Aman elbowed his way through the
crowd and took his seat on box behind
card table. It was Buck Hawkins. I
7 felt stin easier, as had no doubt he
would recognize me and set me at liberty.
The trial was very informal, and the
3 other two were quickly disposed OF. They
claimed that they had found the horses
cached further up the creek and never
stole them. 3Itwas admitted that perhaps
they found them hidden, but it was
charged that some others Of the gang put
them there. stBesides," said one man,
gstsposa they did find 'em cached-what
business they got tryin' to run 'em out
the country?''
ssThat's it." said Hawkins, whose iu-
dicial mind instantly grasped this impor-
tant point, s'they hadn't no business at
all, an reckon we'd better hang 'em fer
!. luck"
! ) This was assented to with o yell and
Hawkins started to get up. I saw that I
had been Included with the others and
that + must crowd in, my Defense Lac,
cordingly asked them toshold on and told
my story. When Iinished4a short thick
set man showed his hands little deeper
into his pockets and said.
HGentlemen, want o iremark I've
heered that air story occasionally before
thisl''
This was greeted by a loud laugh and
everybody agreed to it.
! ssBut see here, Hawkins" I said, my
heart beginning to sink, "you know me
you've seen me before"
"Oh, I reckon I seed ye once" be re-
piled without looking ut me.
stThensy you know I'm not q horse thief"
tsCan't say that do. 7 saw ye on
steamboat couple Of months ago, but
hoss thieves can ride on steamboats,"
like nearly everything else this was
agreed to with loud applause. saw that
my. chances were growing desperate, and
used every argument in my power to con-
vince them that I-.was innocent. The
men had fallen in with put in their
testimony in my behaH, but to no effect
They were especially anxious to see me
hang aftergq one ofythe sommdttee1 closely
scrutinizedmes and idedHfed me- astDoc
Billings, sofes of Che Leaders Cot Tke gang.
stHe looks young, but he's a hard one,"
explained the man. So it was settled
that 7 should; hang with the others. All
seemed to be in favor OF carrying the SEN
stence out immediately. Here Hawkins
siose and said: IT,
y .'Gentlemen, it itworldn't be 9 fair shake
fer the other boys-wait TIL nernin' till
they come in to help. Besides, they may
bring in some more Of the gang, an We
can string 'em all up together" !:
This was agreed to as readily as every
thing else, and we were taken to an empty
log house little distance from the rest
and three men detailed to guard us.
We were each given blanket, and
wrapped mine about me and sank down
in o corner with the most terrible feeling
had ever experienced. Ny past life
came before me- wildly, and my mother
and the home had so recently left with
ont cause rose up before me and caused
me more bitter anguish than it seemed
could endure. My companions hardened
by desperate life and perhaps by former
hair breadth escapes, conversed in whis-
pers for some time, and seemed to take it
very coolly. After some time the leader
said:.;
young feller, reckon ye got to dance
or, ni,, ,lanrr 1uith no -